Magnetically controlled lock and switch



April 5, 1960 W. BARN EY MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED LOCK AND SWITCH Filed June 22. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 5, 1960 w. BARNEY 2,931,953

MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED LOCK AND SWITCH Filed June 22, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 N m K @www INVENTOR. Maf/e BAe/VEV iin.. 4free/Viv w. BARNEY 2,931,953

.i'iAGNls'rICALLYv CONTROLLED Loox AND SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FV. i-

April 5, 1960 Filed June 22, 1954 Ira. .9.

l i j INVENTOR.

Illlllllllllllllllll l Mae Bam/y BY CONT ROLLED LOCK AND SWITCH Application June 22, 1954, Serial No. 438,587

6 Claims. (Cl. 317-134) MAGNETICALLY My invention relates to a locking and switch means that is operable by authorized keys in the form'of cards having hidden or undiscernable operating means embedded therein.

More particularly, the invention relates to a novel locking means of the class wherein the movable parts of the lock are actuated by a slide, such as a card key, and which movable parts are subject to control by the displacement of locking magnets that are also under control of the card key.

, An object of my invention is to provide a novel lock operable by use of magnetic forces, and which is extremely simple in construction, highly etlicient, durable and easy to operate.

lt is also an object of my invention to provide a novel magnetically controlled lock switch, in which the operating key therefor may be rendered ineffective after a single use or after a predetermined number of switch closing operations.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel lock which may be adapted for a multiple of uses and in which novel locking means are released by repulsive magnetic forces,and which locking means are automatically restored to locking position upon removal of key control means therefor.

It is a further object of my invention to provide in a card key controlled lock, novel means whereby the combination on the key may be changed when such key is usedi n one lock, so as to destroy the combination for future use, or to change the combination for use in a diierent lock. y

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel magnetically controlled switch for making and breaking an electric circuit, and which switch is operated by the movement of magnets disposed in a predetermined pattern and which are subject to control or operation by the use of a key having switch control elements embedded therein in a predetermined pattern to selectively coopcrate with said magnets to close a predetermined circuit; and also it is an object to provide in such a switch novel means whereby such magnets will be free floating and binding or hindrance of the movement of said magnets will be practically eliminated.

Another further object of my invention is to provide a novel, simple and effective lock and switch of the above character and which may be constructed at low cost and with few but simple parts that are well designed to attain the functions required.

The invention resides in the parts and combination and arrangement of the parts as more fully hereinafter described in detail in the accompanying specification and defined in the claims.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detail description, and the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention in a form I at present deem preferable.

Figure 1`is a sectional view in side elevation taken nited States Patent 2,931,953 Patented Apr. 5, 1960 ICC along irregular line 1 1, Figs. 4, illustrating the construction of a locking means constructed in accordance with my invention, and associated with an electric circuit diagrammatically illustrating the application of my invention therein, the lockbeing shown in locked or normal position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the lock, analogous to Fig. l but in slightly larger scale, and showing the locking magnet moved to unlocking position.

Fig. 3 is a view analogous to Fig. 2 but showing the movable parts of the lock in switch closing position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a key for use with the lock of my invention.

i Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a key for use with the lock of my invention, parts are broken away to show interior parts; and the key is provided with a plurality of look operating elements in the nature of a master key.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view in side elevation of a modified form of lock associated with a mechanically operated device, and with the key removed.

Fig. 8 is a view analogous to Fig. 7 but the control key inserted and the lock in unlocked position.

Fig. 9 is a View analogous to Fig. 8 but with the lock member pushed to one extreme of its travel. Dotted lines indicate key deactivating or changing means.

Fig. 1() is a sectional view of a switch operated by means of the key shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 11 is a sectional plan view taken on line 111-11, Fig. l0. Dot and dash lines indicate association of the key shown in Fig. l2 with the switch of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a key for use with the lswitch shown in Figs. 10 and 1l.

Fig. 13 is a modified form of a magnetically controlled lock and switch means, and with the parts in locked or normal position.

Fig. 14 is a view analogous to Fig. 13 but with the parts unlocked and moved to close one circuit.

Fig. 15 is a view analogous to Figs. 13 and 14 but with the parts unlocked and moved to close another circuit.V The circuit being shown diagrammatically.

The magnetically controlled lock and switch A shown in Figs. 1-4 comprises a housing 1 having a top plate 2 and a bottom plate 3, side walls 4, 5 and a back wall 6. A guide plate 7 is spaced from bottom plate 3 and forms therewith a keyway or slot 8 which is chamfered at its outer end 9 for ease in inserting a slide member, .such as a card or key 10. The keyway 8 is interrupted at its inner end by an abutment 11 that protrudes from the inner end of the slidable actuating member or locking bar means 12 which when unlocked may reciprocate in a lock bar chamber 13 formed between the upper surface of guide plate 7 and the under surface of top plate 2 and between the inner end of guide plate 7 and back wall 6. The guide plate 7 provides a Xable locking member in the lock A.

The inner` end of guide plate 7 forms a stop means a against which the abutment 11 rests when lock bar or actuating member 12 is moved outwardly by spring means 14 of any suitable construction, and may, as shown, include compression springs 14, one end of which is received in a recess 15 formed in the inner end of lock bar 12, and the other end of which encircles a post or stud 16 that extends inwardly from the back wall 6.

In this position, when abutment 11 is in engagement with stop means a, the locking bar 12 is normally in locked position, and the locking bar or actuating member 12 is thereby mounted adjacent the fixed locking member or guide plate 7 for movement relative thereto between a normal position and an actuating position.

-At any predetermined spot or position on the locking bar 12 and a guide plate 7 are provided the complementary openings 17 and 1S disposed in register with each other when the bar 12 is in normal or locking position. A locking or floating riagnet 19 in said openings 17 and is reciprocal therein, but normally will fall by gravity into recess or opening 18 and have portions thereof disposed in both of said openings to lock the actuating member against movement, the magnet 19 when in releasing position (as hereinafter described) being wholly contained in one of said openings (17) whereby the actuating member 12 is released for reciprocal movement to actuating position.

The actuating or slide member 12 is reciprocated to actuating position (Fig. 3) and the magnet 19 is moved to releasing position (Fig. 2) by means of the key 10 which as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 comprises a at, relatively rigid but flexible member preferably made of a plurality of layers of brous, non-magnetic material such cardboard or paper. Embedded and concealed within such laminated material is a thin repelling magnet 20 cemented in cut-outs in one piece of cardboard interposed between two layers of thin cardboard whereby the location or position of magnet 2t) therein will not be ascertainable or detected by a user thereof.

The magnet 2t) is located in card 10 in such position that when card 10 is inserted in keyway 8, the magnet 2b will register rst with the locking magnet 19 (Fig. 2) and then in actuating position will be in register with the pole pieces of a pair of electromagnets 21 (Fig. 3).

A device B to be operated by the actuating member 1?. may be positioned in the path of travel of said member 12 and in Figs. 1-4 may comprise the switch assembly including the bracket 22 secured to the base or bottom plate 3 and the electrical conduction resilient arms 23, 2d xed to and insulated from the bracket 22 and upstanding through opening 2S in base plate 3, and having contact points on each upper end thereof that are aligned with but normally spaced from each other, and positioned within the lock bar chamber 13 in such manner as to be closed by the point 26 of insulating material on abutment 11 engaging the point 27 on arm 23 as the member 12 is moved rearwardly.

The switch assembly B may be connected in an electric circuit as shown in Fig. 1 and which circuit is also connected to any suitable equipment C to be operated by the closing of the contacts on arms 23, 24 by operation of the actuating member.

Explanation of the circuit shown in Fig. 1 and the operation of the device B by the actuating member 12, as well as the equipment C to be operated by the closing of the circuit thereto, and the changing of the effectiveness of the lock releasing card is as follows:

Normally, the lock and switch mechanism are in the position shown in Fig. l with magnet 19 in holes 17 and 1S preventing movement of actuating member 12. The card or key 1t? is then inserted in guideway 8 and the magnet 2d in card 16 is positioned therein (and magnet 19 positioned in holes 17 and 1S) so that like poles of said magnets will be adjacent each other, when the card 1? is moved into contact with abutment 11 (Fig. 2), magnet 19 will be lifted out of hole 18 by the magnetic repulsive forces of said magnets 19 and 2t).

Further inward movement of card 10 in guideway 8 will move the actuating member 12 against tension of spring return means 14, causing points 26 and 27 to engage each other and close contact points on arms 23 and 24.

Switches 28, 29 are of the single pole single throw type, and switches 3b, 31 are standard double pole double throw toggle switches that are moved to a selected closed position during operation, but have been illustrated in an open position for clarity and convenience of description.

For certain adaptations and uses of my device, the circuit may include a ratchet or step relay 32 which is operated one step each time. The contacts on arms 23 and 24 are closed by the insertion of a valid card 10 all of the way into the housing, and the switch 29 is in closed position.

The circuit also may include a time delay relay T, a protecting resistor 33, a rectier 34 and a filter condenser 35.

The lock and key 10 of the present invention, when the lock is connected to actuate a switch device B connected to a circuit as illustrated, is applicable to a large number of varied operations or circuits, portions of which may or may not be used.

One exemp'tary circuit and operation is with switches 28 and 29 open and ratchet relay also open so the circuit is not complete from 36 to 37. (Switches 3b and 31 may be disregarded or even closed in any position.) The insertion of key 10 closes contacts 23, 24 and the circuit through wires 33 and 39 to one side of the load C and thence through wire 40 to the A.C. supply source 41. The load or equipment to be operated C may be, for example, an electric door opener, buzzer or other suitable function operated by the closing of an electric circuit thereto. 1n this circuit the card or key 10 may be used over and over again as many times as desired.

Another or second exemplary circuit is to close switch 28, leaving switch 29 open, as well as the ratchet relay device 32. Switch 311 is closed downwardly (and switch 31 may be disregarded, being either open or closed in any position). Contacts 23, 24 are closed by insertion of a valid key or card 1t) and the A.C. current from source 41 will ow to the load C as before, as well as through switch 2S, protective resistor 33, rectifier 34 and charge the filter condenser 3S in one direction and maintain such charge as long as contacts 23, 24 are held to gether. This D.C. current cannot complete a circuit through switch 31 because switch 30 is closed downwardly (being open at its upper end). However, A.C. current may pass through wire 42 from point 37 to the time delay relay T to switch 30 and coils 21 and return to the other side `of the A.C. supply 41, and such current in coils 21 will de-magnetize the magnet in the card above under such switching arrangements and render it useless for future lock releasing operations.

It will be noted that a feed line 43 (connected through wire 38) runs directly to the time delay relay T although it could come from point 36. This direct feed line d3 to relay T is for the purpose of providing a delayed supply of current through T after the circuit is broken by separation of contacts 23, 24, so that as the card is continued to be withdrawn from guideway 8, the coils 21 will still be energized with current for a few seconds, thereby insuring a continuous magnetic field from coils 21 over which the magnet 29 in card 10 is drawn during vremoval of the card, and thus eliminate the possibility of breaking the current in the coils at a undesirable period of the half cycle of the A.C. current.

A further or third exemplary circuit may be one in which switch 2S is opened and switch 29 closed. Switch 39 will be closed downwardly (and switch 31 may be disregarded, being either open or closed in any position). The results will be the same as in the second exemplary circuit hereinbefore described, excepting, however, the A.C. current will not at rst reach the coils 21 because the circuit is broken in the step relay However, each closing of the contacts 23, 2d will advance the step relay 32 one step. The actuating member 12 tuus must be actuated by insertion of the key 15B to close contacts 23, 24 a number of times corresponding to the number of steps in the step relay before a circuit may ybe completed through the pin te and contact arm t5 of step relay 32 to the coils 21 by way of wire 42 and thence through wires 46, 47 and 4t) to the source of supply. When this has been done, the magnet 2t) will be demagnetized and the key rendered ineiective for further operation of the switch. In other words, the vnumber of ratchets or steps on the step relay determines how many times 'the ear'd may be used before the magnet 20 therein would be rendered ineffective.

This third circuit might be used for any number of purposes, as for example, the equipment being operated might be a pay as you see television set; or a washing machine, or the like.

A still further or fourth exemplary circuit is with switch 28 closed and switch 29 open. The switch 30 is closed upwardly and switch 31 may be closed either' upwardly or downwardly, depending on the polarity desired in the coils 21. A valid card closing contacts 23, 2-4 will operate the load C. However, A.C. current cannot flow through the time delay relay T because switch 3i) has not been closed downwardly.

Current of D.C. character can only pass through the protective resistor 33 to the rectifier 34 and complete its circuit through switch 31 to the coils 21 and then to the source of supply.

The magnet 20 in card 10 will be magnetized in a direction depending on the position of switch 31, that is, whether it is closed in an upward or in a downward direction. The magnet 20 in each card 10 will be magnetized upon each insertion.

A tifth exemplary circuit is with switch 28 open and switch 29 closed. Switch 30 is closed upwardly and` switch 31 may be closed either upwardly or downwardly. In this arrangement the coils 21 -will receive D.C. rectied current only at the completion of each revolution of the ratchet relay 32, and at which time pin 44 contacts arm 4S, the load C being energized by A.C. current each time the contacts 23, 24 are closed.

Although there are various types of ratchet -or step relays 32,1 prefer one that after4 being voperated a predetermined number of steps will `close the intended circuit and automatically return to the starting position.

In the deviceshown in Figs. 1-4, it will be observed that the magnet 2t)r is positioned directly over the two poles of the coils 21 when the card 10 is fully inserted in guideway 8 (see Fig. 3); and further that in such position one end of magnet 20 incard 10 is directly below the magnet 19 in the actuating member 12, and magnet 20 is also in substantial alinement with the pole piece of one of the coils 21.

By this arrangement of the magnets 19 and 20 relative to the pole pieces of coils 21, we might assume that the magnetic force in the coils 21 would materially affect the magnet 19. However, the coils 21 are not made of suiiicient strength to aiiect magnet 19, and the magnet 20 in card 10 being interposed between magnet 19 and over both pole pieces of the coils 21 will close the magnetic iield between the pole pieces of the coils 21 and not allow any appreciable amount of magnetic force to reach the magnet 19 and disturb its effectiveness.

However, in the event coils 21 were energized without a proper card, then the magnet 19 would be affected by the magnetic forces from coils 21, but this is not possible because only a valid card having a magnet 2i) to bridge the poles of coils 21 will be effective to release magnet 19 from locking position, and then move actuating member 12 to actuate the device to be operated, in this case the switch means or assembly B whereby current to the coils 21 is initially controlled.

From the foregoing detailed construction of the device shown in Figs. 1-4, it will be apparent that the locking magnet 19 is repclled out of hole 18 and entirely within the hole 17 in actuating membery 12 when the magnet 20 in card is moved into alinement with the magnet 19, and with the N pole of magnet 19 in hole 18 and the N pole of magnet 20 being so disposed in card 10 that it will be rst moved adjacent the magnet 19, the repellant magnetic forces of such magnets will lift the magnet 19 so as to release it from lockingl position.

In the event, a person should insert an unauthorized card of magnetic material into the guideway 8, the magnet 19 will be attracted thereto (rather than repelled therefrom), and such attracting force will more securelyhold the magnetic locking pin or magnet 19 in locking position in the hole 18, and by my novel construction, a hold-out or safety magnet is not required to protect or prevent operation of the actuating member 12 if a metallic card is inserted in the guideway.

The type of card 10' shown in Fig. 6 illustrates the features of equipping a card 10' with a plurality of magnets 20 arranged in any predetermined pattern, so that if a number of locks A are made with the locking magnet 19 positioned at various points (or at a plurality of various points) on the plan surface of the actuating member 12, such card 10 with its repelling magnets 20 positioned at points corresponding to the location, or

locations, of magnets 19 will operate locks of diterent key combinations and the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 may well be used as a master'key for lock structures having a locking magnet positioned at analogous points along the guideway 8.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, I have shown a modified form of a magnetically controlled lock means 48 and a device D connected'to be operated by the actuating member 49 slidable in the housing 1' therefor.

It is apparent that the end of actuating member 12 in Figs. 1-4 may be connected to the device D (shown in Figs. 7-9) and which may be any type of mechanically operated device adapted to be operated by the actuating member 12 instead of the switch assembly B shown in Figs. 1 4.

The housing 1 comprises a top plate 2' and a bottom plate 3', opposed side walls 4 and a back wall 6', all preferably of non-magnetic material.

A guide plate 7 is spaced from the top and bottom plates 2 and 3 and forms with the housing a keyway or slot 8' and a chamber 13 in which an actuating merriber or locking bar means 12 reciprocates.

The inner end of keyway 8' is interrupted by an abutment 11' which protrudes from the inner end of the slidable actuating member or locking bar maens 12 which when unlocked may reciprocate in a lock bar chamber 13 formed between the inner end of guide plate 7' and tion 51 that is connected to operate the device D. The

other end of spring 14' abuts the inner surface of back wall 6 to normally urge the actuating bar 12 against the inner end of guide plate 7.

The bottom plate 3 is provided with a restricted opening 52 in alinement with an opening 53 in actuating bar 12' and opposite an enlarged or elongated opening 54 in guide plate 7'. In the openings 52 and 53 is a iloating locking magnet 19' that is normally in locking position shown in Fig. 7. Magnet 19' gravitates into restricted opening 52 and has portions thereof disposed in both of said openings 52 and 53 to lock the actuating member 12' against movement.

A safety locking magnet 55 is mounted in an opening 56 in member 12' in alignment with a restricted opening 57 in guide plate 7'. Normally the magnet 55 is in rest in opening 56 and wholly contained therein.

The lock means 4S shown in Figs. 7-9 is unlocked and operated by a card 10 having a magnet 20 embedded therein as described, but with the poles of the magnets 2t) and 19 being arranged opposite each other, that is, the N pole of magnet 20 will be rst entered in guideway 8 where it will pass over the adjacent S pole of magnet 19' and thereby attract such magnet 19 and lift it out of opening 52 and into enlarged opening 54 (see Fig. 8)

whereupon further movement of card 10 will move bar 12 against tension of springs 14 and move rod 51 to operate the device D (see Fig. 9).

' In Fig. 9 the coils 21 analogous to coils 21 having been indicated as being associated with the housing 1 and the magnetst and 19'. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such coils 21' may be connected to operate analogous to the operation of said coils 21 as hereiubefore set forth. The indication of the coils 21 in Figs. 7 and 8 has been omitted for clarity; and for the further reason of showing that the device may be used, if desired, without incorporating the coils 21 in the assembly.

In the event a magnetic card (not shown) is inserted in the device shown in Figs. 7-9 in au attempt to operate the bar 12', the safety locking magnet 55 will be attracted thereby and be raised into restricted opening 57 (as shown in dotted linesin Fig. 8) and lock bar 12' against reciprocal movement in the housing. It is apparent that a plurality of safety locking magnets may be incorporated at any suitable or desired location in the bar 12'.

In Figs. 10, ll and l2, I have illustrated a multiple circuit switch 66 under controlof a card 61 which may may be provided with thin magnets 62 cemented therein as in card 20.

The laminated housing 63 of insulating material is provided with a card key guideway`64 to receive card 61, and in the base 65 of housing 63 a plurality of cavities or recesses 66 are provided and in each of which recesses 66 is a free tloating silver plated magnet 67 '(preferably made from Alnico metal). Over the cavities 66 and spaced above the magnets 67 therein is a plurality of contact plates, a central feed line or Yplate 68 that is-common to the center of each cavity and connected by wire or lead 69 to one side of a 'source of'electric energy. A contact plate 7) straddles each end of cavity 66 opposite the central feed line plate 68 and is connected by its respective lead 71 to a device to be operated by the closing of a circuit between plate 68 and a wire 71 by the placement of a magnet 62 in card 61 above a selected magnet 67 so as to attract such magnet 67 upwardly and into contact with the central or common feed line 68 and the selected contact plate 70.

In order to maintain each magnet 67 in free floating position in its cavity 66, i embed a plurality of permanent magnets 72 in the base 65 and position them relative to the magnets 67 so that like poles are adjacent each other. Further, the distance between the ends and sides of the respective magnets is uniform, so that the repelling forces of the magnets (the magnetic strength of all magnets being nearly equal) will position each magnet 67 centrally in its respective cavity 66, so thatit really free floating, and not likely to bind against the side walls or end Walls of the cavities 66 when raised by attraction of a magnet 62.

From the foregoing, and an inspection of the arrangement of magnets shown in Fig. 1l, it will be seen that the magnets 67 within the inner rectangle are free of magnetic stress because of the repelling or neutralizing action of the magnets 72 therearound in the outer rectangle, thus eliminating likelihood of the magnets 67 being pressed against the side or end walls of the cavities 66 and failing to properly bridge the space between central feed plate 68 and contact plate 70.

It will also be apparent that the magnets 62 in card 61 may be arranged in any predetermined pattern, Vand with one or more magnets positioned therein in any desired combination to operate selected devices connected to lead lines 71 and to feed line 69.

In Figs. 13, 14 and 15, I have-shown my novel magnetically controlled lock in slightly modified form and combined with a modied circuit arrangement for demagnetizing the card magnet 29 and insuring against affecting the locking magnet 73 in the slide bar or actuating member 74.

In the construction of Figs. 13-15, the housing 1' sA provided with the opening 25 through which the contact arms carrying contacts 23', 24' extend.

The arrangement of the locking magnet 73, restricted opening 75, guide plate 76 and card 1t) with its associated magnet 20 are substantially the same as above described and shown in connection with Figs. l-5.

The abutment 7'7 that interrupts guideway S at its inner end is mounted on a post or stud 78 that is secured to and extends from actuating member 74 and is provided at its inner or free end with a flange or head 79. A spring `80 operates between said head 79 and abutment 77 to normally maintain abutment 77 against the inner end o'f member 74.

Upon insertion of card 10 in guideway 8, the magnet 20 will iirst repel locking magnet 73 out of opening '75, and said magnet 73 will be wholly contained in opening 81 provided in member 74 and permit inward sliding movement of said member 74 until head 7% on post 73 contacts rear wall 6' (Figs. 14 and 15 whereupon magnet 73 will not have approached the pole pieces of coils 21' but Contact 82 on abutment 77 will have come into engagement with contact 23" opposite and connected to contact 23.

This position of the parts will close the circuit from lead 83 (connected to ho'using 1') through abutment 77, contacts 23'?, 23 and its contact arm through wire 84 to `coils 21', and thence through wire 85 connected to lead-in Wire 86.

Further insertion of card 10 will cause magnet 20 to be wiped over the pole pieces of coils 21', and move abutment 77 against tension of spring S0 and bring con tacts 23 and 24' into engagement to close the electrical circuit from lead wire 83 through wire 87, the load or device to be operated 88, and thence through wire 89 to the other lead-in wire S6 (see Fig. 15).

Upon withdrawal of card 10, the circuit to the load 88 will be first broken by separation o'f contacts 24 and 23', but current will still ow to the coils 21' so that the mag* net 20 in card 10 will again be wiped or fully drawn across lthe pole pieces of coils 21 while current is being supplied thereto. This allows an operator to pass or pull the magnet 20 in card 1% over an A.C. eld in coils 21' upon entrance as well as withdrawal of the card from guideway, thereby preventing the breaking of the circuit to coils 21 on a peak or half cycle which would magnetize the magnet 20 instead of demagnetizing it as desired. Suitable means (not shown) may be provided for fully restoring the actuating member 7d from the position shown in Fig. 14 to'the locked position shown in Fig. 13.

From the foregoing description of the construction disclosed in Figs. 13-15, it will be seen that the magnetic shim 20 in card 10 will completely pass beyond the loci;- ing magnet 73 when shim 20 is positioned o'ver the poles of coils 21 to thereby insure that the locking magnet '73 will not be affected by the coils 21' during the period of demagnetizing or depolarizing.

The above disclosure also adapts the lock and car carrying magnetized shim control means or key therefor to many variations and combinations, as for instance, the coils 21, 21' may be used to reverse the polarity of the magnetic shims 20 if so desired instead of demagnetizing the same.

By changing the polarity of the shim, the card may then be used in a lock in which the pole of the lo'cking magnet 19 or 73 is positioned relative to guideway 8 so as to be repelled by the magnetic repellant forces of the magnetize'd shim as will take place when like poles of the magnets 20 and 19 or 73 are positioned adjacent each other.

By changing the 'polarity of the magnetized shim 20 upon insertion in the guidew'ay to operate a load, as for example an entrance gate to a parking lot, the key may then be used to operate a lock at the exit of such parking lot, whereupon the polarity of shim 20 being again changed it is adapted for use to operate the lock at the entrance gate.

One of the features of my invention is that alock structure as shown in Figs. l-4 may beprovided with the locking magnet 19 positioned or located in the lock bar at points that would be respectivelyopposite each o'f the magnetic shims 20 shown in card 10 in Fig. 6, and that separate cards having only a single similarly located shim 20 may be used to operate such a locking mechanism. However, it will be apparent that the card in Fig. 6 containing all of the shims 20 therein shown will provide a master key for use in operating an individual lock structure in which the locking magnet 19 therein will be proximated by one of the shims 20 in card 10 when such a card is inserted in the guideway 8 of such individual lock.

Although the advantages and uses of my novel magnetically controlled lock and switch above described, may be applied in many instances, it may also be desirable to provide a lock in which the lock control means could be rendered active or inactive, or altered, as the case may be, after a predetermined period of operation without manually adjusting the same. A

As for example, ypay-as-you-see television sets might be sold including the lock and switch means of Fig. l; and in order to operate the set a suitable key would be required for insertion in guideway 8 to turn on the set for a predetermined operating period. Thereafter, or after the set had been turned off, the key would be again inserted; and after a stipulated number of uses, the key would be automatically rendered ineffective, and a new key purchased for further or continued operation of the television set.

This could be required to b e repeated until the set had been .paid for. l

`The television set may also be provided with an unscramblng device operated by the use of my novel key, and first run pictures, sports events, and similar programs might then be broadcast in scrambled pattern. The set user would then be sold a key to operate such unscrambling device a given number of times, thereby enabling a paying television viewing audience to be obtained.

My k'ey and switch arrangement may also be used in connection with electrically operated entrance and exit gates for parking lots. To enter the lot, a key is placed 10 least one magnetic member in said housing andl movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, said magnetic member in its locking position engaging and maintaining said actuating member in said normal position; key means receivable in said keyway, said key means including a releasing magnet adapted to cause movementof said magnetic member to said unlocking position in response to insertion of said key means in `said keyway, and said key means including a portion tion; said electromagnetic means being electrically connected to said contact means for energization in response to a given number of closures of said contact means.`

2. A magnetically controlled. lock and key, according to claim l, in which said housing and actuating means, respectively, include registering openings, in the normal position of said actuating means, and in which said magnetic member extends into said openings in said locking position.

3. A magnetically controlled lock and key, according to claim 1, in which said magnetic member and releasing magnet are relatively positioned so as to repel each other upon said insertion.

4. A magnetically controlled lock and key, according to claim 1, and means in said housing biasing said actuating means towards said normal position.

5. ln `the combination of a magnetically controlled lock and magnetically unlocking key: electric contact means in said lock operated in response to said unlocking; electromagnetic means coupled to said lock and energized by said operation of said electric contact means, said electromagnetic means being positioned so as to magnetically activate and co-operate with said magnetically unlocking key in response to said unlocking.

6. The subject matter of claim 5, in which said key embodies a magnet, and in which the polarization of said magnet is changed by said electromagnetic means.

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